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• Used car sales rise 2.2% in 2025, marking three consecutive years of growth as 7,807,872 vehicles change hands.
• Used BEV transactions up 45.7% to record 274,815 units, as electrified car demand jumps by almost a third.
• Black remains UK’s favourite used car colour, while superminis still most popular body type.

The UK’s used car market grew by 2.2% in 2025, reaching 7,807,872 transactions, according to the latest figures published today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (91ÖÆƬ³§¹ÙÍø). The increase marks three consecutive years of growth, as the new car market’s ongoing recovery boosted supply to meet robust demand – particularly for electrified vehicles.

Demand for electrified vehicles accelerated significantly, driven by an ever-increasing choice of models and the potential for lower running costs. Sales of used battery electric cars (BEVs) surged 45.7% year-on-year to a record 274,815 transactions, whilst also achieving a record 3.5% market share, up from 2.5% in 2024. Plug-in hybrid (PHEV) sales rose by 6.3% to 88,032 units, while hybrids (HEVs) increased by 28.6% to 407,531 units.

Combined, used electrified car transactions rose 30.9% on 2024 to a record 770,378 units – accounting for almost one in 10 (9.9%) purchases. Petrol and diesel models, however, continued to dominate, comprising 89.9% of used transactions. Petrol remained the best-selling powertrain, rising 1.5% to represent 56.7% of the market, while diesel declined by -3.5%, to account for 33.1% of sales.

Colour preferences also remained consistent, with black retaining its position as the UK’s favourite used car colour, chosen by nearly 1.7 million buyers (21.2%). Grey followed with an 18.2% share, while white climbed 6.3% to overtake blue and secure third place with 16.0% of sales. Together, the top three accounted for more than half (55.4%) of all sales.¹

Among the least popular shades, 5,279 pink cars changed hands, while maroon slipped to last place with 4,697 transactions. Cream recorded the strongest growth, rising 10.6% to 5,152 units, and green delivered the top 10’s highest growth – up 9.1% to 136,742 units.

Once again, superminis led the market, accounting for almost one in three (32.1%) transactions. Lower medium models followed with a 26.9% share, while dual purpose cars held third place, delivering the strongest growth of all segments – up 7.6% to reach 16.8% of transactions. At the opposite end of the scale, luxury saloons represented just 0.5% of the market.

Notes to editors

1. Combined transactions of used black, grey and white cars, 2025: 4,328,917 units